Categoria: AS Roma Corner

Rubrica in inglese gestita dagli amici del Roma Club Dublino

0 Weekly review

20 Dicembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

The promise. We are going there to win. And he won. Mourinho sensed something before departing to Bergamo. The players responded on the pitch. The best performance so far. The first against a big team. Roma looked sharp and focused like never before. Compact and solid in defense thanks to a magnificent Chris Smalling, once again on the scoresheet. Mancini and Ibanez also play better alongside the charismatic englishman. Since coming back from injury things have improved big time at the back.

In the middle Cristante and Veretout worked very hard to fight tight against their opposition, while on the flank Karsdorp and Viña blocked any avenue for the nerazzurri. Miki moved up and down to help out in both directions, with Zaniolo breaking through the lines with Tammy to attack deep. Yet, all helping each other tackling anywhere to stop Atalanta anytime moving forward. The team played as a team. Mourinho prepared his game tactics in the best possible way.

And it worked. Roma thrashed Atalanta scoring four goals with only 23% possession. A record. Atalanta retained the ball for most of the match but without creating much in 90 mins. Rui Patricio made a couple of saves but always with confidence. Their goal came late for a deflection. The backline was perfect, the attacking force was lethal on the break. Their other goal was correctly disallowed as per clear game rules for obstruction offside.

Nothing else to declare, as Roma cruised to victory with overwhelming force. Well deserved. If it is a turning point must be seen. It is a good sign, waiting for Pellegrini and Spinazzola coming back, we must think positive for the second part of the season. First of all, let’s beat Sampdoria in midweek to end the first run. Not quite close but getting there. Forza Roma.

0 Weekly review

12 Dicembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Miracle Zorya but also a miracle in Sofia. Roma conquers the head of the group in the last sprint thanks to the victory in Bulgaria, mainly thanks to the draw of the Ukrainian team which surprisingly stops Bodo Glimt. An almost unexpected result against all odds. Roma thus avoids the play-off obstacles in February and enters the final phase in March. However, Roma leads three to zero in a match without history, manages to get two goals back together and risks seriously in the last minutes. Yet another inexplicable blackout. Indeed very easily explained. The worst in the field are the reserves that took over in the second half, that is, those players blatantly ignored by Josè Mourinho. For the umpteenth time we understood why, despite the usual questions at the press conference.

Separate chapter, Borja Mayoral, this time in front with Abraham. A good intuition, a good performance, a goal. Rarely used this year, the Spaniard seems in excellent condition and also well motivated, despite everything. Quite the opposite of Villar, Diawara and co. It remains to be seen if everything is already written, if he will strengthen Fiorentina in January. A Real Madrid player on loan, Roma should shell out 20m to redeem him, money already spent on Shomurodov. Mourinho has now focused on Uzbek, but who knows if he is now still convinced of the choice, given the bad performance last night too. It is very likely Borja will be back alongside Tammy again on Monday against Spezia, with Eldor on the bench. Mourinho will then have to deal with injuries, with yet another stop by Zaniolo, even if already disqualified along with Mancini.

Some players are just not as good enough. Karsdorp always plays and has no substitutes. On the other hand, Edoardo Bove put there in the fray proved to have ringworm and personality, one of the best in Sofia. Together with Felix one who will play a lot. Then the time will come also for the various Zalewski, Darboe, Calafiori, Tripi and Volpato. Mou sees them and tries to figure out who is already mentally ready. He certainly prefers them to those who thought they had already arrived, without having done anything.

After the defeat with Inter, more for the non-game than for the result, there is a change of attitude on the part of the coach, the mood is no longer the same, the waving on the pitch, the enthusiasm and the races underneath. the south a few months ago. Mourinho is in a delicate phase of study, in the meantime to find results and serenity, and to mitigate the risks of the case given the latest precedents. Strengthen and reshape the team, to advance that growth process as early as January. But one step at a time. Three points with Spezia are a must. A different result does not have to exist. Despite all the Roma supporters he is priceless, always omnipresent in the stadium singing at the top of his voice, even after having conceded three goals. Don’t be an excuse for the club, management and players. Mou knows. Daje Roma.

0 Weekly review

2 Dicembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

We were so deluded. After the victory with Genoa and Torino, the impression was of a team that had finally assimilated the teachings of Mourinho, a new set-up and determination in bringing home the result. In Bologna we expected a vigorous and combative Roma, aware that a victory against the Bolognesi was much more important than the next matches with Inter and Atalanta, that maybe taking two points would have been excellent results with two teams destined to fight for the Scudetto.

Against Bologna, on the other hand, it was a decisive match, essential to remain attached to the train that leads to fourth place, already a very difficult goal in itself. Instead, at the Dall’Ara gets one of the worst defeats against a medium-sized team. Not exactly unbeatable. But the team takes the field inexplicably deflated, soft, imprecise and without ideas, it never imposes itself on the opponent, who immediately understands the situation and takes advantage of it.

Zaniolo finds no compassion among the referees who are now determined not to whistle a foul in his favour, even when it is evident. But he too has to complain less, evidently not so appreciated to certain attitudes, but a referee cannot be conditioned in this way. But the defeat is also the result of wasted opportunities, Diawara and Veretout’s slowness, Miki’s poor streak, Abraham’s bad luck, El Sharaawy’s injury and Karsdorp’s naivety in the final.

Double blow as we lose other pieces in view of the engagement with the Milanese Nerazzurri after having already lost Pellegrini and Felix. In just a few days, a situation that had seen enthusiasm skyrocket was reversed, and instead we return from the Via Emilia quite resized and depressed. Josè Mourinho has a very difficult task now, scoring points with Inter and Atalanta so as not to slide back sucked into the big group that follows in the middle of the standings. Finding the strength and the right spirit to react is the only way. Struggle and suffer. To give everything. For Roma.

0 Weekly review

26 Novembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Nicolò Zaniolo’s answer comes from the pitch, underlined by Josè Mourinho who doesn’t hesitate to let them know. An answer that should make some of the local press think that feeds on alleged insinuations that have nothing to do with reality.

After the beautiful victory in Genoa, seasoned by the usual useless controversies, Nicolò is there and plays a great game, in the position perhaps most congenial to him, as second striker behind Abraham. We said earlier, Nico needs space and in that more central position he manages to express himself at his best, contrary to the one seen so far secluded on the wing. In all of this, Tammy himself also benefits, despite a couple of incredible errors in front of goal. But in the meantime he too is more active and present, in the heart of the action, as demonstrated by the two goals, of which the reverse one is very nice.

In turn, the other great performances of a surprising El Sharaawy on the wing and a revived Mkhitaryan in the middle. Three-man defense with Smalling’s return to the centre. Roma turns, wins over and qualifies for the next round of the Conference League. Now it remains to be seen whether he will be able to finish first, with Bodo Glimt currently still ahead with a point above. Everything will be decided in Sofia.

In the meantime, it’s time to turn the page. Torino arrives on Sunday, a very difficult team. With Veretout suspended, already a second consecutive penalty failed, a trend like Jorginho, it will be interesting to understand how Mourinho will change. Same unscrupulous set-up, with the return of Pellegrini, or is it back to four or with the inclusion of another Darboe-type midfielder? We’ll see.

Meanwhile, the Special One is adapting to needs very wisely, looking for the right set-up in the hope of bringing better results at this time. At the moment it only counts to score points, to remain clinging to the train that leads to fourth place. Every year after the Christmas break that train leaves and never stops. So, in January a Dalot and a Zacharia are welcome. Meanwhile, we enjoy this victory with the awareness that a Zaniolo like this can be that extra weapon that could make us dream from here on out. In all this, an eye also to future prospects, among the various Bove and Zalewsky, here is Missori after the tale Felix. Come on Mou. Come on Roma.

0 Weekly review

7 Novembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Slow midfield, shaky defense and blunt attack, poor quality in the plays and especially in the last steps. Roma flounders even if the desire is not lacking. The score is the same as seen in the last few games, you enter on with the right foot, then you make many mistakes, things get complicated and you try to fix it in some way, to get out of the mess. We must take the blame, for not having exploited the opportunities, for the blunders but above all to give in with a crash even against weaker but definitely more dynamic and organized lower formations on paper.

But there is also another score. Some players are out of shape and are not performing, first of all Zaniolo, Mikitaryan, Veretout and Abraham. Others are not ready yet, perhaps too young or not up to par. Mourinho repeats it and not by chance. They are not “purged” but simply out for technical or disciplinary reasons. The most successful coach in football history is not crazy or incapable. If these guys do not lend themselves and do not adapt, it is right to focus on other profiles. And then there are the negative, conditioning and frustrating episodes for players and fans. It is not a theorem nor a whine. They are facts, irrefutable.

Jose Mourinho does not seek alibis, but like us he demands a fair judgment. Another result could have come out against Lazio, Juventus, Napoli and Milan, and now even with Bodo there were at least two clear penalties that prevented Roma from winning the game. Despite all this, Roma is still fourth in the league around with Juve, Atalanta and Lazio, a few points behind Inter. With “normal” refereeing we would be in third place. And we remain in the running in the Conference League, despite the bad fool against a very well equipped team that gives a hard time.

It is an experimental Rome to be reconstructed, incomplete, to be shaped. We need to be patient in this transitional year, maybe when our best players wake up it will go better, then with the transfer market in January and some additions we must hope to finish fourth, the absolute priority. Then the conference, one more reason to try to go all the way. A new project is about to be born, with a solid and ambitious owner, a leading and winning technician who did not come here to winter, who knows how certain things go around here. If they put a spanner in the works, this time we have those who defend us with a drawn sword. United we go. Daje Roma.

0 Weekly review

31 Ottobre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Roma coming back to Cagliari is a pleasant counter-trend. Yes, because in Sardinia we have seen all sorts in recent years, always in a negative sense. Three very important points not only for the purposes of the standings, victory for morale and self-esteem in view of the match against Milan.

It must be said that it was not a good first half, rather slow, cumbersome and predictable, at least from the midfield up, especially with Miki still off and Veretout running in circles. The game almost always passes from the outside and few balls arrive playable for Tammy. And then Zaniolo, is growing rapidly but still seems to be caged, put to one side, out of sight.

It is clear that he is looking for an open field, if put in condition it can become devastating. In defense well, with R. Patricio demonstrating that he knows how to do his job, even if he can do nothing about the blunder of Viña. And who knows what about Pavoletti’s failure to double, which slipped only face to face. But Roma returns to the field in the second half with another attitude, creates chances from the goal, Ibañez takes the deserved draw and Pellegrini makes you the masterpiece on a free kick.

And that’s how we get the three points home. In addition Mourinho still amazes with the young spring Felix Afena on the field instead of Perez, Shomurodov or Zalewsky. Good approach of the Ghanaian. Yet another found of the Special One. Another reinforcement for the attack. Here, despite everything, Roma are now fourth above Juve, Atalanta and Lazio, only two points below Inter. Napoli and Milan go head to head.

But if there are 4/5 more equipped and tested teams, for now we are there to have our say, despite the short blanket. In the eleven we play it, as long as there is gasoline. January will come. Now head to Milan, a team as fearful as it is fortunate, with Napoli certainly very good so far but the episodes on the pitch have all turned in their favor even when they did not deserve it. Waiting for our turn of grace. Daje Roma.

0 Weekly review

24 Ottobre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

The unthinkable. What no one would ever have expected anything like this with Josè Mourinho on the bench. Another colossal loss. Biblical. Perhaps the worst, because this time there were no Manchester, Barcelona or Bayern in front. Nor Fiorentina. Roma not only take 6 goals home minnow by Norwegian Bodo Glimt, but are crushed and humiliated for all 90 minutes in a small stadium north of the Arctic Circle, with 400 Romanistas heroes left like this, stunned and in the cold, after a long trip.

A very heavy defeat for the immediate future, starting from Sunday, the clashes with Napoli, Cagliari and Milan are the crossroads of this first part of the Mourinho era. We play a lot for the rest of the season, and we are only in October! If with Juve we lost due to negative episodes but also due to lack of sharpness, today the concern is much greater.

The team has lost the plot but above all that desire and determination seen in the first games. It is a team that has returned to be moody and unreliable resembling the one seen so many times last year. Also because maybe it is the same squad? It is certainly not Mourinho’s squad. From Norway at least we return with a certainty.

A line has been drawn, the team is made up of 13 players, the others can be go elsewhere if possible. The coach reiterated this once again. The possibility given to these 7/8 reserves was the last degree of appeal, unavoidable also due to the need to rest the others. Mourinho did not trust them, but he decided to field them hopefully in a positive response. A total disaster, yes, but even with the changes in the second half we went even worse. Reason for this great concern.

In the meantime, we now know that it will no longer be necessary to ask the coach why the various Reynolds, Villar, Mayoral, Diawara and Kumbulla are never used even when the others are run out of steam. Unless of injuries, it is likely that we will never see them on the pitch again, waiting for the January transfer market. Forward with these 13 players already for Sunday’s difficult challenge with the Neapolitans, at this point it is a must, apart from the result, to get the performance eto give us back respect for this shirt.

0 weekly review

15 Ottobre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Roma are back into the game after the Derby, also immediately after the success in the Conference League. Against Empoli the team finds itself again and the 3 points earned are essential to prepare the challenges at the top after the international break.

The trip to Turin against Juve is the first major test that Mourinho will have to face. Then immediately Napoli the league leaders at the Olimpico. In between, the trip to Norway at Bodo’s. We will think about Milan later. Apart from the Conference league match where we will certainly see a lot of changes, it is essential to come out unscathed from these two great challenges.

Juve are back on track, with Chiesa the greatest threat. Juventus at the J-Stadium is now a continuous taboo, apart from the picnic at the end of the season last year, in between Garcia’s violins, referees and so on. Winning in Turin right now would be an incredible driving force for the Mourinho gang, but also a half miracle. Allegri’s team has many internationals playing around the world, Roma gets along with only Vina in South America, and Tammy’s injury. What we know is that Juve makes a few mistakes at Allianz Arena, Roma will have to be good at making the perfect match to come out with at least a positive result.

The same goes for the next match with the Neapolitans, in the lead with full points, with the return of Spalletti who probably can’t wait to silence those whistles that will once again pour down on him from the stands of the Olimpico. If in Turin a draw would also go well, with Napoli at home it is hoped to be able to win despite Osimhen and his teammates are in great shape.

But the Napoli seen on the pitch so far is really scary, to beat them will need a masterful test, few distractions in defense, a solid and free-range midfield, ready to press to go on the break. I would like to be able to take at least 4 points from these two challenges, but I think that two draws would still be positive results for this team, right now, for technical and structural values, for the morale and to hold on to the train that leads to fourth place, the real objective of the season. In my opinion Jose ‘Mourinho thinks so too. Daje Roma.

0 Weekly review

30 Settembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

After the disappointment of the derby, Roma returned to victory in the Conference League with three goals against Zorya in Ukraine, a panacea after the post-Lazio controversy. The defeat in the derby left a lot of bitterness in the mouth for how it arrived, condemned by the episodes but also the feeling that the team made the same mistakes as the last derby last year.

I was hoping that Mourinho had taken notes and warned the team, but instead of the Special One and Sarri, the ghosts of Inzaghi and Fonseca were seen again. Pellegrini’s absence weighed heavily, and it shows. In Ukraine Lorenzo got the team back and despite the turnover there was another attitude. Pellegrini will never be Totti but in this team he makes the difference, and in my opinion the departure of Edin Dzeko has freed him mentally also for the captain’s armband and the leadership. Smalling also met in Ukraine, scoring with Tammy Abraham, two English players, with El Shaarawy.

Well Darboe, minus those who had been excluded and replaced as Villar and Mayoral, now clearly not very motivated and on the sideline with Diawara, with Cristante instead once again on the field. A game of ordinary administration against a very modest team, but which brings three points to for head the group. So a test that is not very reliable, against Empoli it will be another match.

It will take a good test to get back in the race, as Mourinho says there will be other tumbles during the season but absolutely we must not repeat the match in Verona, much less that of the derby. You need humility and compactness but also the awareness that you can’t always line up the same ones, the team has the obligation to try to finish fourth and they all serve to hit the target. Daje Roma.

0 Weekly review

25 Settembre 2021
Stefano Sale
· AS Roma Corner

Ridiculous, as José Mourinho says. The second yellow given to Lorenzo Pellegrini is the umpteenth wickedness of the referee class to the game of football, and not only for the damage caused to Roma. Now the Giallorossi captain will not be able to play on Sunday in the derby against Lazio.

As known, Roma will not be able to appeal as it is not provided for by the regulations in force. An actually wrong regulation that must be corrected immediately otherwise one wonders what the Var is for. In this case the referee makes a huge mistake that the Var must be able to correct since it is a second yellow card and therefore red, which alters the course of the game. Having said that, however, Roma must be able to do without the presence of its captain and face the game in the best way since there is no shortage of options up front.

Mourinho will have to be good at shuffling the cards. Motivations anddesire will not be lacking for sure. After the bad defeat in Verona we needed a reaction against Udinese, which there was, but only partially in the first half. In the second half the team struggled and suffered from a physical and athletic point of view in the end, however, conceding only a couple of chances to the bianconeri.

It seems quite evident, however, that the team is short in the changes in midfield and on the flanks. It also seems clear that Mourinho does not consider Diawara Villar and Reynolds reliable subs, and in fact he does not use them even when the regulars run out of gas. This is a very important aspect in the long run because Karsdorp, Cristante and Veretout will not be able to play every game every week. Not to mention the injury situation, finger crossed. Waiting for January with the reopening of the transfer market.

So far, Roma have always won 3 points apart from the match in Verona, alternating flashes of good aggressive play at intervals and breaks with related risks. This is Mou’s Rom in this first phase of study and adjustment, in search of amalgamation and automatisms between the various departments, so we just need time. For now the important thing is to achieve results, concreteness regardless of the beauty of the game, starting as early as next Sunday. Daje Roma!

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